The American Fisheries Society (AFS) seeks an Education Program Coordinator to fill an immediate opening in its Bethesda, MD office. AFS is the world’s largest and most prestigious society of fisheries professionals with 8,000 members in over 60 countries, and 150 chapters and sections. AFS publishes six journals, hundreds of books, and organizes education events and hosts the largest annual conference of fisheries professionals attracting thousands of attendees from around the world. AFS members work in fresh and marine water environments to advance its mission of developing professionalism, advancing fisheries science and management, and conserving aquatic resources.

This position is the staff coordinator for two important AFS programs-- the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology program and AFS Certification. Hutton JFB is a paid summer mentoring program to educate & inspire high school students about fisheries sciences and management, generally among groups underrepresented in the fisheries profession. The certification program defines standards of experience and education among fisheries professionals. Oversight of both programs entails interacting with members, students, funders and others in support of its goals. In addition to these programs, this position also supports the department director with other professional development and department administration activities (marketing, website maintenance, etc).

With the recent launch of new education initiatives and redevelopment of the Hutton program, AFS seeks a self-sufficient individual with strong project management skills to step in and support these highly visible programs. It is an exciting time in the professional development area, with both programs actively underway. The successful individual will be one who accepts direction easily, works efficiently, is goal driven and anticipates needs and program requirements. The nature of the position requires someone with strong customer service skills, attention to details and the ability to work independently under direction from the department director and related committee initiatives.

The ideal candidate shall have undergraduate degree or commensurate knowledge, five or more years’ nonprofit experience in professional development, membership or student services, software and database experience, exceptional customer service and organization skills. This position offers qualified candidates multiple career paths in the disciplines of education, certification and student service

AFS is the world’s oldest and largest professional society for fisheries scientist comprised of about 8,000 members in more than 62 nations. The mission of AFS is to advance sound science, promote professional development, and disseminate science-based fisheries information for the global protection, conservation, and sustainability of fisheries resources and aquatic ecosystems. AFS accomplishes these initiatives through the promotion of scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources, publishing some of the world’s leading fisheries research journals and books, organizing scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed, encouraging comprehensive education for fisheries students and professionals.